imra Tue Feb 21 00:21:34 2006 Volume 2 : Issue 1333
In this issue of the imra daily Digest:
Acting PM Olmert Holds Consultations Ahead
of Swearing-in of Palestinian Legislative Council
Full Text: President Abbas Addresses Second PLC
Excerpts: Reward for killing cartoonists.Jordan jitters.18 February
Joint Israel Tax Authority-ISA Operation Results
In Seizure Of PA-Bound Goods At Ashdod Port
CABINET COMMUNIQUE
Scheduled Meeting between UNRWA and
Israelis over Measures against Palestinians
Muslim Countries Lead In "Unfavorable Attitudes" Towards Others
Statement from the Simon Wiesenthal
Center on its Jerusalem Project
Report: 19,000 Palestinian Students Benefit From Saudi Aid
ISA AND IDF FOIL BETHLEHEM TERRORIST
CELL'S PLANS TO ATTACK JERUSALEM
NEIGHBORHOODS - USED PA FACILITIES
SEVEN WANTED PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS
ARRESTED, AND ONE KILLED,
IN IDF NABLUS AREA OPERATION
Foreign Ministry -- Behind the Headlines:
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' missed opportunity
Pollard petitions Supremes to release secret docs
Excerpts: Palestinian-Egyptian friction.20 February 2006
Interview: MK Steinitz:
time to use force to prevent formation
of Hamas government
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Acting PM Olmert Holds Consultations Ahead
of Swearing-in of Palestinian Legislative Council
Acting PM Olmert Holds Consultations Ahead of Swearing-in of Palestinian
Legislative Council
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today (Friday), 17.2.06, held
consultations ahead of the swearing-in of the Palestinian Legislative
Council (PLC) tomorrow. The security and diplomatic and security
establishments gave assessments and made recommendations. Acting Prime
Minister Olmert decided that the issue would be submitted to the Cabinet on
Sunday, 19.2.06, after the PLC is sworn in; the Acting Prime Minister will
submit a series of decisions to the Cabinet for approval.
No additional details will be given.
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Full Text: President Abbas Addresses Second PLC
Speech of President Mahmoud Abbas For the Opening Session of the Second
Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC)
18/02/2006
www.palestine-pmc.com/details.asp?cat=2&id=1285
Source: PLO Negotiations Affairs Department
Unofficial translation
Speech of
President Mahmoud Abbas
Chairman of the Executive Committee of the PLO
President of the Palestinian National Authority
For the opening session of the
Second Palestinian Legislative Council
(PLC)
Ramallah
18 February 2006
In the Name of God, the Gracious and Merciful
Fellow members of the second PLC;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Dear guests;
Ladies and gentlemen;
This is a great day in the life of our Palestinian people, and of its
national truggle.
Today we constitutionally inaugurate our second PLC, elected by our
Palestinian people in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem, in free
and fair elections, witnessed by the entire world, through hundreds of
observers, and carried out peacefully from the onset till the end.
These elections would not have been possible should any political faction or
party have been excluded, or should our East Jerusalem compatriots have been
prohibited to participate. I have emphasized this matter adamantly despite
all pressures, and this is what occurred in reality. I see amongst you now
those who represent Jerusalem, and who represent all Palestinian political
factions. My congratulations go to the brothers and sisters members of the
Council on the confidence bestowed upon them by the electorate, with my
wishes of success in carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to them.
On this occasion, I would like to salute the Central Elections Committee and
express my appreciation for its achievement of this task in a most
responsible and capable manner.
I would also like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the Arab and
foreign election observers for their role in monitoring the elections, and I
would like to particularly mention President Jimmy Carter.
Our people have proven their maturity in spirit and democratic performance
through the conclusion of these legislative elections and the preceding
presidential and municipal elections. The entire world should regard this
fact as a certificate of eligibility to build a present and a future for our
people in the modern state that our people deserve. This state will have a
democratic pluralistic system, governed by the rule of law, and the spirit
and ethos of this age, where each man and woman is entitled to the rights
and freedoms guaranteed them by the law.
Ladies and gentlemen,
From this platform, I salute our Palestinian people in the homeland and in
the Diaspora.
I stress to each Palestinian that our real joy will only be complete upon
the attainment of our freedom; upon the establishment of our independent
state, with Jerusalem as its capital; upon the liberation of our prisoners;
the day the refugee question is resolved in a just and agreed-upon manner,
based on Resolution 194; the day we achieve the dream of our revolution's
leader, and the builder of the first Palestinian Authority, President Yasser
Arafat.
I salute the members of your council who are sitting behind Israeli bars and
prisons, alongside thousands of our best. I assure them all that we will
spare no effort until they are released, and until I see each member taking
his place in this council, and each prisoner obtaining his rightful place in
society.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The results of our elections have led to the creation of a new political
reality, in which Hamas won the majority in the PLC. Therefore, it will be
tasked with the formation of the new government. I expect the person forming
the government to be designated, and the usual consultations regarding this
issue to start. All of this will be accompanied with the election of the PLC's
presiding body and the establishment of its various committees so as to be
ready to receive the new government and its program, leading to granting it
confidence.
We are looking forward to the completion of this process in according to
procedures as soon as possible, because the tasks that await you are large,
very large indeed. You will find from my part all the cooperation and
encouragement you need, because the national interest is our first and final
goal, and is above any individual or faction.
I seize this opportunity to salute our first PLC that has worked under dire
circumstances and has drafted a large number of laws. It has followed up and
monitored as much as possible the works of the successive governments which,
in turn, also deserve our appreciation for all their initiatives and
achievements. We hope that the new government will continue this process and
develop its performance in a manner that achieves the interests and wishes
of the people who elected and who will monitor the performance of the
elected parliament and the government.
Sisters and brothers,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, in front of the second PLC, and as per past practice, I would like to
address you: our people and the entire world, in the spirit of
responsibility, clarity and honesty, to elaborate on the initial stages of
our national experience with its difficulties, complexities, and
achievements. A process that has been conducted by the Palestine Liberation
Organization (PLO) - the leader of this people, and the highest political
reference for its committees and institutions. Our achievements would not
have been possible, without the insistence of the PLO on national unity, and
its adoption of the most effective forms of struggle based on carefully
examined and studied policies, governed by the national higher interest for
the Palestinian people, and in accordance with international resolutions.
We have foiled plans aiming at the elimination of the political identity of
the Palestinian people and its national rights. The PLO was able to carry
our cause to the furthest reaches of the world, to all its peoples, until
the doors of the United Nations opened for us. On that platform, President
Yasser Arafat stood in our name, holding an olive branch, asking the entire
world not to drop it. International and regional recognition of our people,
the PLO, and our rights followed.
This constituted a political reserve from which we still draw strength and
effective international presence. Likewise, we launched political
initiatives with our Arabs and Muslims brothers, expressed through balanced
decisions issued in Arab and Islamic summits. These decisions have placed
the national rights of the Palestinian people as the central cause of both
the Muslim and Arab worlds, and in a manner that addresses the entire world
with the language of the modern age. This has provided us with indispensable
political and moral support at all stages of our national and political
struggle.
The PLO has led this important historic era despite the presence of its
leader, institutions and frameworks in exile. It has confronted many harsh
battles to maintain its presence, its mission, and the rights of the
Palestinian people. The PLO and the Palestinian revolution could not have
stayed alive nor overcome the attempts of elimination without - in addition
to its obstinate military struggle -courageous political initiatives. These
added momentum to the Palestinian cause and received large support both
internationally and regionally. This has led to the recognition of the PLO
as the sole representative of the Palestinian people, and the capable
spokesman of its national rights.
From this platform, which is a part of our Palestinian National Council
(PNC), I emphasize the necessity of completing the dialogue among all
factions and parties to activate our organization, renew its structures and
frameworks, and improve its performance at all levels. We have started this
dialogue a long time ago, and it is time to reach the results hoped for.
In this context, I would like to remind you of another important milestone
in our national struggle: our courageous historic initiative in the 1988
session of the PNC in Algiers.
This initiative entailed the declaration of the establishment of the State
of Palestine in exile, and the Declaration of Independence that accompanied
our recognition of Resolutions 242 and 338. This laid the foundation of our
future state and defined its contours and content, and upgraded the level of
international recognition. This coincided with the outbreak of the first
popular uprising (Intifada) in the year 1987, which decisively contributed
to the adoption of our initiative. The world started to deal with our
people, our cause, and our leadership, as one state to another state. This
gave the Palestinian peace offensive at that time a political depth that
went beyond a unilateral declaration to become an international commitment
for all of those that recognized it and established full relations with the
state of Palestine accordingly.
This political struggle bore fruit when there was an important imbalance in
the international arena as a result of the fall of the Soviet Union and the
start of the second Gulf War. These events necessitated a rethinking and
reformulation of new equations for stability in our region. Had Palestine
not been present as a recognized state, and as a PLO that embodies a strong
representative political body, the world, with its new powers, would have
bypassed us. No-one would have thought of us in the framework of any
international or regional arrangements. Seizing the opportunity of this
presence, a political process was started and the American-Palestinian
dialogue, which was a taboo for many decades, was launched. The peace
process was started in Madrid, and we are all aware of its chapters and
developments. At the same time, there were secret channels working which led
to the Oslo Accords, and the mutual recognition of the PLO and Israel.
There were many unfounded rumors regarding these Accords, all of which aim
at putting them in question. Most important of these was that the Oslo
Accords were signed behind the backs of the Palestinian people, since the
negotiations were managed in utmost secrecy. Here I would like to repeat
what I said on many occasions, namely that political action in secrecy is a
familiar process in all or most negotiations carried out between two
conflicting parties. As for the results of the negotiations, they are
definitely public and are legitimate as they were presented to
representative political institutions for approval. This happened when we
submitted the Accords to the legislative and executive institutions of the
PLO, which discussed, voted upon, and endorsed them.
Since then, we have accepted and respected the right of any individual,
group or political faction to voice its objection on the Oslo Accords. But
we have not and will not accept any questioning of the Accords' legitimacy.
Indeed, from the hour they were endorsed, they became a political reality to
which we remain committed.
Objectively speaking, while we do not consider Oslo to have incorporated all
what we want, the Accords have led to the establishment of the first
Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on parts of our homeland. They have
permitted the return of thousands of our people from the Diaspora and exile.
They have established this Council. While Israel wanted the PLC in the
beginning to be merely an administrative council devoid of any legislative,
representative, or political content, we managed imposed it as a body
similar in nature to a state's parliament. We have imposed elections as the
means to choosing members, and we have developed its responsibility and
mandate to reach what we have reached today in the Basic Law - our temporary
constitution pending the endorsement of the permanent constitution of our
country.
Although the achievements at the beginning of the Oslo Accords seem to be
modest for some - since the Israeli pullout at the early stages did not
exceed 1% - Israel has pulled out in the subsequent phases from all our
cities. The peace process was expected to end the occupation from all of the
occupied territories in 1967, and solve all issues of permanent status, as
per the Oslo Accords, through negotiations.
I would like to remind you how the extremists' in Israel mobilized, leading
to the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin when we were still at the
beginning of the path. In reality, it was not a mere political
assassination, but an intentional attempt to halt the peace process that was
spearing ahead. It was an attempt to substitute it with a different process
consisting of denying the Palestinian partner, imposing unilateral solutions
that are based on the logic of force, and imposing a reality with arms while
continuing the expansion of settlements.
The subsequent Israeli policies followed a program and implemented measures
aiming at the cancellation of the Oslo Accords. This froze the peace
process, unleashed extremism, and destroyed all efforts to create a new
atmosphere between the Palestinians and the Israelis. This all paved the way
for the era of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who declared an open battle
against the Palestinian people, and proceeded to systematically destroy the
PA's institutions and frameworks.
During this period, the racist separation Wall was built and settlement
activities in the West Bank were doubled. He introduced an iron fist policy
against the Palestinian people everywhere, besieging them and their
President until the latter's death.
I would like here to emphasize that we are pursuing, with our friends all
over the world, the reasons of the late President, our historic leader
Yasser Arafat's death. We will not close this file. The issue of his passing
away will remain open until the truth is out.
Ladies and gentlemen;
The Israeli government has adopted unilaterlism as a substitute for
negotiations. I would like to remind you that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's
step to unilaterally pull out from Gaza was interpreted from our side as a
surgical procedure aimed at canceling the Road Map. We accepted the Road Map
as an international initiative incorporating Palestinian and Israeli
commitments on the security level, and Israeli commitments regarding halting
the settlement expansion; the military pullout; the convening of an
international conference; the return to the negotiation table to resolve all
issues of the permanent status, namely the refugees, Jerusalem, settlements,
borders and water, reaching the end of the occupation; the establishment of
the desired Palestinian State, and reaching a fair and just peace.
I would like to draw your attention to an a objective reality that
characterized the period since the assassination of the PM Rabin: namely
that Israeli extremism has succeeded in drawing us to a vicious cycle of
bloody action and reaction, and has created an environment in which politics
and negotiation became difficult to implement in managing the conflict.
On the other hand, we cannot ignore the serious attempts, at top levels, of
putting an end to the deteriorating situation as a whole. These include the
Sharm Sheikh Summits, the Camp David Summit, and finally the Road Map, and
US President George W. Bush's vision of the establishment of an independent,
democratic, thriving Palestinian state living side by side with the State of
Israel in peace and security. This is undoubtedly a historic development in
the US position.
In this context, and based on the highest interests of our Palestinian
people, a truce was reached which provided - for the first time - an
unprecedented period of calm for at least three months. It was followed last
year by another period of calm that we strive together in all seriousness to
maintain so as to provide the proper environment to start the political
process and the negotiation table on the basis of international legitimacy
and signed agreements.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Members of the PLC,
On another issue, there is much talk in an exaggerated manner regarding the
size of the administrative body of the PA, and its high financial cost.
However, can we ignore that the Israeli aggression during the years of the
Intifada has left devastating effects on our internal situation, both
economically and administratively? It has led to queues of tens of thousands
of unemployed, who were forbidden to enter Israel. The Israeli policy of
collective punishment, closures, checkpoints, destruction of infrastructure,
uprooting of trees and many other measures that have turned Palestinians'
life into hell has led to the reduction of private sector investment in
Palestine, leading to the destruction and loss of the various economic
institutions.
The previously described situation has led to the PNA alone having to carry
this burden. It has become, due to these circumstances, responsible for
solving endless problems. Foremost among these was the absorption of the
unemployed, especially the thousands of new university graduates who are
unable to find employment opportunities in view of the weakness of the
private sector and its incapacity to absorb them. This matter has turned the
PNA, irrespective of its intentions, into the largest employer. This has led
by necessity to the large bureaucracy, with ministries and institutions
bloated with civil servants.
As you are all aware, this situation has burdened the budget, and we have
increasingly become dependent on foreign aid. This made fulfilling the
public sector requirements, in terms of salaries and other running expenses,
a process that requires from every Palestinian government to constantly
mobilize so as to secure funding from our Arab brothers and the
international community.
While there were mistakes and excesses in the past, we still must remember
the achievements in terms of institution building, and reconstruction in all
fields, particularly education and health. The previous governments
started - under the direction and supervision of the PLC - a comprehensive
reform process aimed at correcting this exceptional situation financially
through rationalizing the public sector, and lightening the burden on the
budget. Despite the challenges that face this process, especially the
continuation of the Israeli measures and the resulting difficult economic
situation, considerable progress has been recorded. The upcoming government
has - out of a sense of national responsibility - to continue this effort.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
From my position as elected President of the PNA and as President of the
PLO, and based on my program on which I was elected, I would like to
emphasize the following:
Firstly, we, as presidency and government, will continue our commitment to
the negotiation process as the sole political, pragmatic, and strategic
choice through which we reap the fruit of our struggle and sacrifices over
the long decades. We will find practical opportunities as we wisely manage
the negotiations so as to achieve our national aims that are supported by
international resolutions.
As we depend on the negotiation process as a political choice, we should
continue to develop other forms of peaceful popular struggle.
We are all required to continue activating and strengthening the role of the
PLO as the sole legitimate representative of our people, to lead and oversee
all matters relating to its destiny including the negotiations with the
Israeli side.
Secondly, the obstruction of the negotiation process and its replacement
with the iron fist policy, unilateral adventures, and the continuation of
the separation wall, settlement expansion, and assassinations will only lead
to further deterioration, leaving peace and stability behind.
Anybody who thinks that these kinds of policies would force our people to
hoist the white flag and to give up is mistaken. He does not know the
reality of this people, its faith, determination and perseverance towards
obtaining its full rights. Here, I would like to emphasize our full
rejection of unilateralism. I urge the world, eager as it is to see peace
and stability in the Middle East, and especially the Quartet and the US
Administration, to immediately start serious efforts towards re-activating
the negotiation process. This in turn should be conducted on the basis of
international legitimacy and President Bush's vision; the Arab Peace
Initiative, and the agreements and understandings signed since Oslo to the
Road Map.
Thirdly, the internal changes - which occurred in the aftermath of the
second PLC elections- and which led to Hamas members having the majority in
the PLC, should not be used to justify further aggression against our
people, or as a pretext for blackmailing it. The Palestinian people should
not be punished for its democratic choice that was expressed through the
ballot box. The leadership of this people, and I personally, refuse this
blackmail. I ask everyone to abandon it.
Forth, the process of reform within the PNA should not stop. I will continue
to sponsor all reform initiatives, whether carried out by the Palestinian
judiciary, as an implementation of a decision from our part, or any new
initiatives in the same direction. I am determined to carry out my program,
on which I was elected and mandated, and to apply the main tenets that I
have hoisted to reach a stable, unified, strong, effective authority that
provides security and safety to all its citizens; an Authority which has the
ability to keep its commitments and protect the interests of its people; an
Authority that respects the law, and commits to implementing it; an
Authority whose institutions are committed to the separation of powers,
particularly in terms of strengthening the judiciary, imposing the rule of
law for all, with one legitimate arm, with a pluralistic system; an
Authority that lays the foundations for the establishment of our independent
Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. We hope to see this state
as a qualitative addition to the list of countries in the region; an
addition that carries out its commitments in a credible manner, and which
enjoys its rights based on justice. We do not want more than what we are
entitled to by international law.
As we have carried out free and transparent elections, we yearn towards
seeing a government that faces the challenges and performs its tasks
efficiently and capably. As we are speaking of our government, I would like
to remind the members of the PLC - and members of the future government - of
the need to respect all signed agreements, and to work according to the
national interest to end the chaos of arms. Since everybody is participating
currently in the structure and framework of a national authority with all
its institutions, everybody should honor the presence of one arm, i.e. the
arm of legitimacy.
Fifth, I would like to reiterate a fact which has always been the protective
shield of our revolution, the PLO, and the PNA. Namely, we will not be led
into any axis of any sort.
As Palestinians, we are proud of the depth of our Arab and Muslim belonging;
we are proud of our uniting and unifying role therein, just as we are proud
of everybody standing by us, by our rights, by the justice of our cause,
while respecting our independent national decision.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to dwell on one of the most important aspects of our experience
within the PA, namely security.
As experience in the last ten years has shown, our performance on security
is the backbone on which depends the future of national project.
Security means securing the citizens and the entire community, securing life
in all its aspects. It means the security of all those who live on our land,
and the implementation of our international commitments. We all have the
responsibility of confronting the aspects of chaos that reign in some of our
cities, such as looting, armed attacks, kidnapping of our foreign friends
and Arab brothers who live on our land and who are among us to offer support
and cooperation.
I will not permit, and the government should not permit it either, the
continuation of this disgraceful phenomenon. Firm and effective measures
should be taken to put an end to it. No irresponsible person will be allowed
to manipulate the highest of ideals to justify the most deplorable attacks
against citizens and their property or against guests and diplomatic
missions.
Achieving security requires giving the security establishment all the
attention it needs to enable it to perform its role, including equipping and
training. The Israeli side, along with the Quartet members, should
facilitate the delivery of arms and equipment to the security forces. It is
also important to continue the process of restructuring the forces in
accordance with the Basic Law. In this context, we will work in a serious
and determined manner to activate the work of the National Security Council,
so that it can play its role in drawing security policies and directing the
work of the security forces.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Members of the PLC,
The tasks and burdens are many. The education sector requires rapid
development, by building schools, institutions, and universities than are
capable of keeping up with intellectual and social progress. Modern
education, based on the requirements of development, the need to open up to
the world, the tenets of free thinking and creativity, and the ethos of
resisting chauvinism is the safety valve for raising new generations. It is
necessary for creating a healthy atmosphere that contributes to development,
progress and modernization for our society and people. In addition, there
are other sectors: health, economy, industry, agricultural, commerce,
culture, sports, tourism, and the environment, all of which require the
continuation and development of what we want towards the creation of a free,
advanced society and a new, hopeful, forward looking Palestinian person. In
addition, there is the need to care for the disabled and injured, families
of martyrs and prisoners, the young unemployed and poor families. Indeed, we
cannot forget that the large majority of our people are living under the
poverty line.
Building a state and a society that qualify as modern and progressive
requires us all to safeguard the achievements obtained by women in the
Palestinian society, and to prevent any undermining of their role. The
Palestinian woman has struggled, resisted occupation, and stood fast on her
land alongside men. She was an equal to men in martyrdom and imprisonment,
and she must be an equal to him in all rights, just as she was an equal in
all duties.
I would like to emphasize the need to protect public and individual freedoms
in accordance with the law. These cannot be undermined under any pretext.
These
include the freedom of expression, belonging, and other freedoms, including
the freedom of civil society institutions.
Another issue that I would like to remind you all of relates to the social
and national fabric of our Palestinian people. Muslims and Christians of
Palestine are equal citizens in front of the law. We are committed to
provide, protect and care for all the Muslim and Christian shrines. We will
not allow any group to start ethnic disturbances. Palestine is the cradle of
monotheistic religions; it is the land of Al Aqsa, and the land of the
Nativity Church and the Holy Sepulcher.
This leads me to the issue of Jerusalem, the beating heat of Palestine. I
would like to assert in front of you, and in front of the entire world,
especially the Israelis, that the current measures undertaken to isolate the
city, expel its citizens in what is a form of ethnic cleansing of
Palestinian Christians and Muslims alike, and the insistence to Judaize the
city, along with the other Israeli measures that contradict international
law, will not be legitimate, and will not be a matter accepted by any
Palestinian citizen. The Israeli obstinacy regarding Jerusalem and its
future will prevent the achievement of our desired goal, namely a just peace
between the states of Palestine and Israel.
I realize, and so do you, the extent of the dangers that threaten the city
of Jerusalem and its residents. I urge the Muslim and Arab worlds and the
Christian world to lend a helping hand to Palestinians in Jerusalem, to
provide means for their steadfastness so that they remain there. We will try
our utmost to provide the means for our people to remain in Jerusalem.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In your name, I would like to present my greetings, appreciation and
gratitude to all our brothers in the Arab countries, to our brothers in the
Muslim world, and to our friends in the entire world, peoples and
governments, for their support, help, and recognition of our Palestinian
people.
I address myself to the Israelis, especially that they are on the verge of
parliamentary elections. I guarantee to them that the path to security can
only pass through a just peace. We are confident that there is no military
solution to the conflict. Negotiations between us as equal partners should
put a long-due end to the cycle of violence. I tell them in all honesty and
clarity that the continuation of occupation and settlement expansion - with
its latest attack targeting the Jordan Valley area to isolate it from the
remainder of the Palestinian lands in the West Bank - that checkpoints,
arbitrary killings, the separation wall, and arrests will only lead to
hatred, despair and continued conflict.
Let us together make peace today before tomorrow . Let us live in two
neighboring states. Let us educate our children the culture of life, not the
culture of death.
Let us teach them that the free man is the one who defends the freedom of
the other and that he who loves God, loves mankind.
I would like to stress, in particular, that the era of a unilateral
solutions is over. Attempting to determine the future of our people through
cantonization, reservations, the tearing-up of the West Bank, land grab in
the Jordan Valley, the separation of Jerusalem, and the consolidation of
settlement blocks will close the window for a solution between us.
There is a Palestinian partner who is ready to sit at the negotiation table
with an Israeli partner so as to reach a solution that is based on
international legitimacy, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the Road Map. A
solution that is based on respecting all previous agreements and
commitments.
We want a just solution that guarantees the fulfillment of peace, not a
unilateral, partial, or temporary solution that will kill the chance for
peace, nor a state with provisional borders. We are awaiting the Israeli
government to determine its direction and make its decision in this regard.
Our decision is to be completely ready to start permanent status
negotiations immediately.
I assure the world that we strongly believe that justice prevails over
force. We will have the same perseverance in attaining our rights and desire
for peace. The entire world should bear its responsibility to make this
dream come true. peace in the Holy Land.
Peace in the land of Peace.
Thank you.
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Excerpts: Reward for killing cartoonists.Jordan jitters.18 February
Excerpts: Reward for killing cartoonists.Jordan jitters.18 February 2006
+++THE DAILY STAR (Lebanon)18 Feb.'06 :"Protests continue as cleric offers
(over $1 million) bounty for cartoonists" Compiled by Daily Star staff
QUOTE FROM TEXT:
"a Palistani Muslim cleric and his followers offered rewards amounting
to over $1 million for anyone who killed Danish cartoonists"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCERPTS:
Muslim anger against the cartoons of flared anew ... with thousands rallying
in Pakistan, Iran and police in Bangladesh blocking demonstrators heading
for the Danish Embassy in Dhaka.
...a Pakistani Muslim cleric and his followers offered rewards amounting to
over $1 million for anyone who killed Danish cartoonists and Denmark said
that it has temporarily closed its embassy in Pakistan.
. . .
In Pakistan, where five people have died in the ... protests, police fired
tear gasand detained more than 100 Islamists on Friday.
At least 10 protesters were detained after they blocked the main highway
north from the southern city of Karachi and began hurling stones at
vehicles.
. . .
Pakistan's ambassador to Denmark has been called back to Islamabad "for
consultations" ... .
Maulana Youssef Qureshi, a cleric in the northwestern city of Peshawar, said
that he personally had offered to pay a bounty of 500,000 rupees ($8,400),
and two of his congregation put up additional rewards of $1 million and one
million rupees plus a car.
"If the West can place a bounty on Osama bin Laden and Zawahiri we can also
announce reward for killing the man who has caused this sacrilege of the
holy Prophet," ... .
In Tehran, ... protestors carried placards reading "God is Greatest," and
chanted "Death to Denmark."
In Bangladesh's capital, police stopped thousands of Muslims from trying to
besiege the Danish Embassy and put up barbed-wire barricades on streets
leading to Dhaka's diplomatic areas.
Undeterred, the protesters, estimated at about 10,000, demonstrated anyway
on the city's streets, burning Danish flags and effigies of Danish Prime
Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, witnesses said.
Banners and placards also called for boycotts of European goods, banning of
the offending newspapers that published the cartoons and punishment for
their publishers.
In the predominantly Chinese city of Hong Kong, about 2,000 Muslims shouted
slogans and waved posters against the cartoons.
The march was the first of its kind by Muslims in Hong Kong in years, and
many of the demonstrators also decried weeks of violence over the cartoons,
including attacks on Danish and other European diplomatic missions in Syria,
Lebanon, Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia. - Agencies
+++BITTERLEMONS-INTERNATIONAL: 9 Feb.'06: "Pragmatic but unconfortable"by
Omar Karmi, Jordan Times Jerusalem correspondent, [IMRA:Significantly,
nothing along these lines appeared in The Jordan Times by Karmi, or anyone
else.]
QUOTES FROM TEXT:
"Hashemites, unique among ruling regimes in the region, maintained close
relationships
with Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood. The political arm of the Brotherhood,
the Islamic
Action Front, has been allowed to maintain its dominance of the
country's professional
associations"
"Muslim Brotherhood remained, and continues to remain, implacably opposed
to the
1994 peace treaty" [IMRA: They also always vehemently supported Saddam
Hussein.]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCERPTS:
...when events west of the Jordan River take a dramatic turn, Jordan is the
country in the region that will feel the most immediate and potentially
far-reaching consequences.
. . .
There are good reasons for Jordan to take careful stock of the situation.
Hamas, while originally founded in the Gaza Strip as an outgrowth of the
Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, has maintained very close ties to Jordan's
Islamists, and for a long time Hamas' leadership in exile was based in
Amman. In addition, the general geo-political and demographic realities of
Jordanian-Palestinian relations make close ties between Palestinians of all
political stripes in both Jordan and Palestine inevitable and necessitate
good relations between Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, whoever may be
at the helm.
But Jordan's relationship with its own Islamists has been uneasy in recent
years. Traditionally, the Hashemites, unique among ruling regimes in the
region, maintained close relations with Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood. The
political arm of the Brotherhood, the Islamic Action Front, has been allowed
to maintain its dominance of the country's professional associations
[IMRA: The professional associations cover almost all employment
opportunities and prohibit "normalization" with Israel under threat of
expulsion from the 'culprit's' professional organization resulting in loss
of employment.]
and has had a fair shot at parliament, where the IAF currently makes up the
single largest opposition bloc with 17 out of 110 seats. Jordanian
governments also usually include one or two portfolios set aside for
independents close to the IAF.
The late King Hussein was not about to let his good relations with the
Brotherhood get in the way of what he saw as the overriding importance of
the Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty, and greater democratic openness enacted
in 1988 was abrogated to ensure no parliamentary opposition to the treaty in
the new parliament in 1993. Nevertheless, he clearly valued the relations,
even though the Muslim Brotherhood remained, and continue to remain,
implacably opposed to the 1994 peace treaty.
Israel's attempted assassination of current Hamas leader Khaled Mishaal in
1996 was therefore taken as a personal affront to the king and interpreted
as an attempt by Israel to jeopardize Hashemite relations with both Hamas
and Jordan's Islamists. King Hussein wasted no time in exacting the maximum
political price he could from Israel in return, including the release from
prison of Hamas' spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.
..., King Abdullah, however, has taken a more confrontational approach with
Hamas and Jordan's Islamists. In 1999, only six months into his reign,
commercial offices in Amman registered under the names of Hamas leaders were
shut down, Hamas activists were detained, and arrest warrants were issued
against five Hamas leaders: Mishaal, politburo members Musa Abu Marzouq,
Sami Khater, Izzat Rasheq, and spokesperson Ibrahim Ghosheh.
Jordan insisted it would no longer tolerate that "Jordanian citizens work
for a non-Jordanian organization from Jordanian territory," and the five,
who were on a visit to Iran at the time, were charged with membership in an
illegal organization, possession and stockpiling of illegal weapons, illegal
fundraising, armed activities, and use of forged documents. Upon their
return to Amman, Mishaal and his colleagues were arrested at the airport and
eventually all deported.
Internally, the regime most recently confronted the IAF with the
government's attempt to include a clause in Jordan's political parties' law
that would make it illegal for a political party to base itself exclusively
on religious foundations. Ostensibly, the clause is meant as a safeguard for
minorities, but the IAF sees it as a direct attempt at curbing its potential
... .
That political parties' law has also been the subject of some criticism from
Washington, where Jordan so far has managed to stay under the US
administration's radar for greater democratization. With Hamas' victory, US
pressure is liable to diminish. But Jordan is facing a new dilemma: a
successful Hamas will increase the popularity of Jordan's Islamists and
render it more difficult to curb their influence. A failed Hamas potentially
poses an even more serious problem, particularly if Hamas fails because of
external pressure and the PA itself collapses or a civil war breaks out.
The records of Hamas and Jordan suggest that both sides will take highly
pragmatic, if slightly uncomfortable, positions vis-a-vis each other. Each
is aware of its importance to the other, and while no outright thaw in
relations is likely in the near future, some warming can be expected. -
Published 9/2/2006
Dr. Joseph Lerner, Co-Director IMRA
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Joint Israel Tax Authority-ISA Operation Results
In Seizure Of PA-Bound Goods At Ashdod Port
Joint Israel Tax Authority-ISA Operation Results In Seizure Of PA-Bound
Goods At Ashdod Port
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Office)
On 16.2.06, the customs authorities at Ashdod port seized 31 containers of
goods, worth millions of dollars, which were imported by the Fayez Abu Amar
Company in the Gaza Strip. Approximately two months ago, Defense Minister
Shaul Mofaz declared the company to be an illegal association due to its
having systematically and continuously assisted Hamas and Islamic Jihad by -
inter alia - laundering and transferring funds from the organizations'
overseas command centers to local operatives under the guise of commercial
activity.
The operation followed a joint Israel Tax Authority-ISA operation that came
in the wake of information that the company was in gross violation of
Defense Minister Mofaz's aforementioned order and was exploiting the names
of two other Gaza companies.
The company also cooperated with illegal Hamas funds abroad and with various
associations in Judea, Samaria and Gaza that have been banned by Israel.
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: CABINET COMMUNIQUE
CABINET COMMUNIQUE(Communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat)
At the weekly Cabinet meeting today (Sunday), 19.12.2004:
1. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Education, Culture and Sports
Minister Meir Shetrit eulogized the late Shoshana Damari
(http://tinyurl.com/8ssyu).
2. Ministers were briefed on Palestinian affairs following the Palestinian
Authority (PA) elections and determined policy in light of the swearing-in
of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC):
Acting Prime Minister Olmert made the following remarks:
"From Israel's point-of-view, a new situation has been created. Israel has
defined threshold conditions (http://tinyurl.com/bntl3) for holding contacts
with Palestinians in the Hamas administration and it will continue to act
accordingly. Israel has proven that it is interested in acting on behalf of
regional peace and stability. The disengagement is a main example of this,
at the base of which lays the desire to have here two states for two peoples
living side-by-side in stability, security and peace. Of course, Israel
will continue to see to the personal security of Israeli citizens and will
not compromise on this issue now or in the future. It is clear that in
light of the Hamas majority in the PLC and the instructions to form a new
government that were given to the head of Hamas, the PA is - in practice -
becoming a terrorist authority. The State of Israel will not agree to this.
Israel will not compromise with terrorism and will continue to fight it with
full force. However, there is no intention of harming the humanitarian
needs of the Palestinian population. Israel will not hold contacts with the
administration in which Hamas plays any part - small, large or permanent.
From our point-of-view, the swearing-in of the PLC means that Hamas has - in
effect - taken control of the PA. Israel views the rise of Hamas as a
dangerous milestone that turns the PA into a terrorist authority. This new
situation will influence the future of Israeli-PA relations and will begin a
period in which ties with the PA are downgraded unless Hamas fully accepts
the principles tht the international community has presented to it:
Recognition of the State of Israel and abrogation of the Hamas Covenant
(http://tinyurl.com/9pjjj), the renunciation of terrorism and the
dismantling of terrorist infrastructures (by adopting the Roadmap and
accepting its principles) and recognizing all understandings and agreements
between Israel and the Palestinians.
It must be pointed out that the international community's point-of-reference
is the day on which a Palestinian government is formed. Until then, the
international community will continue to see it as the main address
including that regarding the continued transfer of financial assistance.
The US and the EU include Hamas on their lists of terrorist organizations
and are refraining - at this stage - from any contacts with it. We will
continue to demand that the PA fully honor the three conditions that the
international community has set before it. Until this happens, we will take
a series of steps, some of which we will decide on today. In any case,
Israel has no intention of bringing about the collapse of civil frameworks
and creating a humanitarian crisis in the PA. Israel will continue to act
determinedly against terrorism and against terrorists. The new situation,
in which Hamas members have been elected to the PLC, does not change this."
OC Intelligence Maj.-Gen. Amos Yedlin, ISA Director Yuval Diskin, National
Security Council Chairman Giora Eiland and Coordinator of Government
Activities in the Territories Maj.-Gen. Yosef Mishlav briefed ministers on
the results of the recent PA elections.
The Cabinet decided as follows:
"It is decided that upon the swearing-in of the Hamas dominated PLC
yesterday (Saturday), 18.2.06, and upon the upcoming conclusion of the PA
transitional government, the PA will become a terrorist authority unless
Hamas, which controls the PA, fully accepts the following threshold
conditions as determined by Israel and approved by the Quartet
(http://tinyurl.com/dpxfa & http://tinyurl.com/cffkt):
* Recognition of the State of Israel and the abrogation of the Hamas
Covenant;
* Renunciation of terrorism and the dismantling of terrorism
infrastructures;
* Recognition of agreements and understandings between Israel and the
Palestinians.
A. Therefore, the Government immediately decides - at this stage - to
implement a series of measures vis-a-vis the PA;
i. Upon the conclusion of the transitional government, no funds will be
transferred from Israel to the PA;
ii. Israel will appeal to the international community so that upon the
conclusion of the transitional government, the international community will
refrain from all financial assistance to the PA except for humanitarian aid
given directly to the Palestinian population;
iii. Transfers of means and assistance to the Palestinian security services
will be prevented;
iv. The movement of VIPs connected to Hamas, including members of the PLC,
will continue to be restricted in all areas under Israeli control;
v. Given the heightened security risks, security checks at crossings -
especially Karni and Erez - will be increased, regarding both people and
goods. Activities to upgrade the Gaza Strip crossings will continue in
order to enable more effective security oversight.
B. All measures necessary to thwart acts of terrorism against Israel will
continue, both in the Gaza Strip and in the Gaza Strip; acceleration in
construction of the security fence (http://tinyurl.com/czaco &
http://tinyurl.com/e4gv6) will continue.
3. The Cabinet discussed the issue of the construction of the permanent
Bedouin Negev communities of Al-Fura and Abu-Talul; see
http://tinyurl.com/akmte for details.
4. The Cabinet, pursuant to the 1982 Communications Law (Bezek and
Broadcasts), accepted Communications Minister Avraham Hirschson's and
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni's recommendation, and appointed attorney Rani
Neubauer as the Justice Ministry representative to the Cable and Satellite
Broadcast Council, in place of Noga Rubinstein, who has finished her
position at the Justice Ministry; see http://tinyurl.com/akmte for details.
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Scheduled Meeting between UNRWA and
Israelis over Measures against Palestinians
Scheduled Meeting between UNRWA and Israelis over Measures against
Palestinians
www.ipc.gov.ps/ipc_new/english/details.asp?name=13792
GAZA, Palestine, February 19,2006 (IPC) -[Offficial PA website] -UNRWA
Commissioner-General Karen Koning Abu Zayd disclosed today that an important
meeting is scheduled today evening with the Israelis to be acquainted with
the measures the Israeli government will take against the Palestinian people
either freezing funds, sever ties or tightening the reign on the
Palestinians.
Abu Zayed uttered, in a press conference, in Ramattan News Agency -Gaza
Based, her optimistic that the international aids will continue tunneling to
the Palestinian people as the Israeli threats are to reconsider cutting aids
but not stopping funds.
UNRWA Commissioner pointed out that UNRAWA will take the next step on the
basis of the results of the slated meeting today, adding that UNRWA set out
plans to counter disasters and urgent cases if it is necessary.
Questioned about dealing with Hamas led government and the prospects of new
lines of communications, Abu Zayed said "we will examine the matter with our
leadership in the USA and we will see how to handle the matter."
Abu Zayed denied threats against UNRWA's staff on the backdrop of the
blasphemous caricature against the Prophet Mohammed "the staff working here
did not receive any letters endangering their life. Our works mainly meant
with humanitarian service."
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Muslim Countries Lead In "Unfavorable Attitudes" Towards Others
Muslim Countries Lead In "Unfavorable Attitudes" Towards Others
By Dr.Joseph Lerner, co-director IMRA 19 January 2006
DATA source: The Pew Global Attitudes Project Survey conducted May 2005,
release July 14, 2005.
The Muslim countries averaged 52.2% "Unfavorable Attitudes" towards
Christians, while the U.S. and
European countries averaged 32.6% "Unfavorable Attitudes" towards Muslims.
So, the Muslim countries
"Unfavorable Attitudes" towards Christians were 1.6 times as high as the
"Unfavorable Attitudes" of the U.S.
and European countries towards Muslims.
For Jews, the Muslim countries averaged "Unfavorable Attitudes" of 79.6%,
while the U.S. and European
countries averaged 12.2%. So, Muslim countries "Unfavorable Attitudes"
towards Jews averaged 6.35 times
as high as the U.S. and European countries. It should be noted that the
survey question referred
to Jews, not to Israels.
Western country responses for "Unfavorable Attitudes" towards Muslims were:
U.S. 22%; Britain 14%,
France 34%; Germany 47%, Netherlands 51%. It is striking that the U.S. and
Britain which are under the most
severe criticism because of Iraq, are on the low-end of "Unfavorable
Attitudes" towards Muslims.
Muslim country responses for "Unfavorable Attitudes" towards Christians
were: Turkey 63%;
Pakistan 58%; Jordan 41%; Morocco 61%; Indonesia 38%.
Muslim Country responses for "Unfavorable Attitudes" towards Jews were:
Turkey 60%;
Pakistan 74%; Jordan 100%; Morocco 88%; Indonesia 76%.
For individual Western country responses the "Unfavorable Attitudes" on
Jews
were: U.S. 7%; Britain 6%; France 16%; Gemany 21%; Netherlands 11%.
In the same survey, Europeans were questioned on foreign workers and
residents from the Middle
East, North Africa and Eastern European countries. For the Middle East and
North Africa,41.4% said
it was a "Bad Thing" and 40.8% said it was a "Bad Thing" for persons from
Eastern Eurpean countries.
The country breakdown was:
Foreign Workers and Residents a "Bad Thing"
F r o m
Middle East Eastern
North Africa Europe
30% 28% Britain
45 % 47 % France
57% 60 % Germany
26% 22% Spain
49% 47% Netherlands
Clearly, there is not a significant difference in attitude towards
foreigners from the Middle East and North Africa as compared
with those from Eastern Europe. So, there isn't "Islamophobia".
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Statement from the Simon Wiesenthal
Center on its Jerusalem Project
Statement from the Simon Wiesenthal Center on its Jerusalem Project
February 19, 2006
You may have read some recent articles in the press regarding the discovery
of human remains at the construction site of the Simon Wiesenthal Center's
Center for Human Dignity-Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem. Unfortunately many
of these articles are inaccurate and we would like to set the record
straight.
A group of Islamic organizations petitioned the Supreme Court of Israel to
permanently halt the construction of this project on the grounds that it is
a Moslem cemetery. Here are the critical points:
. The Center for Human Dignity is being built in the heart of West
Jerusalem, on land granted to the Simon Wiesenthal Center by the Government
of Israel and the City of Jerusalem. At no time did the Government of
Israel or the City of Jerusalem designate the site as a Moslem cemetery.
Rather, it had a legal status as a 'public open space.' The site ceased to
be regarded as a cemetery for many years, both de facto and de jure . No
burials have taken place in the Mamilla cemetery since the beginning of the
20th century.
. More importantly, the religious leaders of the Moslem community, have, for
many years, regarded this area, including the Center for Human Dignity site,
as land which could be developed for public purposes after moving and
reburying graves and human remains.
.In 1927, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin el Husseini, (a pro-Nazi
supporter of Hitler) issued a religious ruling that forbade continued
burials in this area in order to change its use to a commercial designation
so that the land could be used as an economic impetus for Arab growth.
.In 1929, the Grand Mufti, initiated the building of the Palace Hotel on the
southern part of the Mamilla cemetery and re-interred human remains found
during construction, as already then the cemetery was considered 'Mundras'
(abandoned), which according to Moslem law would permit it to be used for
public purposes.
.Moreover, at that time, the High Moslem Council set an area of the cemetery
for public buildings and an Arab university which was never built due to
lack of funds.
. On June 7, 1964, the issue was brought before the Sha'aria (Moslem
Religious Law) Court. The president of this Moslem Court of Appeals in
Jaffa ruled the cemetery "a Mundras.that its sanctity has ceased to exist in
it.and it is permitted to do whatever is permitted to do in any other land
which was never a cemetery.." To this day, this religious law approach
that permits graves to be moved for public and/or commercial use purposes
remains in effect in Moslem countries like Egypt and Lebanon.
. For the last thirty years, the site consisted of two parking lots, an
underground (four-level) parking lot, and an open, paved lot bordering the
old Mamilla cemetery. Hundreds of cars parked in these lots every day.
There were never any objections.
. The Simon Wiesenthal Center initiated a town plan to build a museum on the
parcel allocated to it by the Government of Israel and the Municipality of
Jerusalem and the City of Jerusalem issued a building permit to construct a
museum. For five years during the public planning process, the Center for
Human Dignity was the subject of hearings at open City Council meetings,
through notices published in both Hebrew and Arabic newspapers, and the
architectural model was on public display at City Hall. At no time
throughout that entire public process, did a single person or organization
come forward to object to the use of the grounds on the premise that the
site was a Moslem cemetery.
. All of Jerusalem is layered in memory and history and it is not unusual
for construction work in Jerusalem, a 3,000-year-old city, to encounter
archeological artifacts and remains. That is why there is a special
department called the Israel Antiquities Authority, charged with the special
handling of any archeological artifacts or remains that are found. Since
the commencement of excavation, the project has been under their
supervision, and every instruction has been followed.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center made its case to the Israeli Supreme Court on
February 15, 2006 and awaits its decision. Further, the Center is fully
committed to finding an acceptable solution according to the highest norms
of Judaism and Islam. The Center has offered three possible remedies to the
Court, which it would underwrite, including re-interrment of the ancient
bones to a Moslem cemetery, erecting a dignified monument to those whose
remains were removed, and cleaning up and restoring the adjacent Moslem
cemetery, (at SWC expense), which sadly, has been unkempt and neglected for
decades.
Unfortunately, some parties wish to pre-empt the Israeli Supreme Court and
do not have the courtesy to allow justice to take its course. In so doing,
they only embolden those extreme elements whose sole objective is to reclaim
the heart of Jerusalem and to permanently stop the construction of the
Center for Human Dignity-Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem. They will not
succeed!
Simon Wiesenthal Center
1399 South Roxbury, Los Angeles, California 90035
310-553-9036
www.wiesenthal.com
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Report: 19,000 Palestinian Students Benefit From Saudi Aid
Report: 19,000 Palestinian Students Benefit From Saudi Aid
19/02/2006
www.palestine-pmc.com/details.asp?cat=3&id=1006
Arab News
http://www.arabnews.com
Sunday, February 19, 2006
By Ghazanfar Ali Khan
RIYADH, 19 February 2006 - Some 19,000 Palestinian students will be able to
pursue their education with the help of aid extended by Saudi Arabia.
"The Palestinian students will enjoy a fee remission of 75 percent during
the current semester, mainly because of the $15-million grant made available
by the Kingdom," a United Nations statement said yesterday.
The Saudi Committee for the Relief of Palestinian People has donated the
funds, to be used by a UNESCO program to waive tuition fees of the
Palestinian students.
"The fee-waiver scheme will be finalized on Feb. 20 when the heads of 34
Palestinian institutions of higher education will sign letters of agreement
with UNESCO's office," said the statement.
A large number of regional and international donors including Western
countries are evaluating ways to support Palestinians in the wake of recent
political change.
Meanwhile, the OPEC Fund for International Development recently approved a
grant of $1.2 million to support the activities of 12 civil society
organizations in Palestine's Gaza Strip. The aim is to assist the poorest
and hardest hit communities to meet some of their most urgent needs.
The grant will be drawn from its Special Grant Account for Palestine and
extended to 12 Palestinian NGOs. The OPEC special account was set up in 2002
with an initial endowment of $10 million and has subsequently been
replenished twice to boost resources to $40 million.
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: ISA AND IDF FOIL BETHLEHEM TERRORIST
CELL'S PLANS TO ATTACK JERUSALEM
NEIGHBORHOODS - USED PA FACILITIES
ISA AND IDF FOIL BETHLEHEM TERRORIST CELL'S PLANS TO ATTACK JERUSALEM
NEIGHBORHOODS
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Office)
20 February 2006
During February 2006, the ISA and the IDF uncovered a Tanzim military
infrastructure in the Bethlehem area, which was instructed by Popular
Resistance Committees terrorists from the Gaza Strip, and was involved in
shooting attacks in the Bethlehem district and the adjacent Jewish
neighborhoods of Jerusalem (Gilo and Har Homa). An attempted mortar attack,
which was due to be carried out the day after the arrests, was among the
foiled attacks.
Several members of the infrastructure, some of whom were detained recently,
were fugitives who operated out of Palestinian Authority (PA) buildings in
Bethlehem where they were protected from possible arrest.
The infrastructure was led by Jabr Fouaz Eid Akhras, a member of the PA
National Security Service, originally from the Gaza Strip but who currently
resides in Bethlehem. He was behind the 18.11.03 deaths of Sgt.-Maj. Shlomi
Belsky ( http://tinyurl.com/j3m5f ) and St.-Sgt. Shaul Lahav
( http://tinyurl.com/l3al9 ) at the tunnels checkpoint near Bethlehem. From
his room in the Mukata, Jabr commanded the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in
Bethlehem and systematically directed attacks despite the fact that Israel
had repeatedly requested that Palestinian security service heads halt his
activities and despite Palestinian claims that he was in prison.
The infrastructure members who were arrested had considerable war materiel
in their possession, including: Eight IDF mortar rounds, a mortar, a machine
gun, flak jackets and helmets.
The arrested infrastructure members admitted that they intended to
perpetrate mortar and small arms attacks on Gilo and Har Homa, with the
attack on Gilo due to be carried out a day or two after the arrests. They
also admitted to planning mortar and small arms attacks on an IDF base in
the Bethlehem area and on an IDF patrol in El Khader.
The arrested infrastructure members said that Popular Resistance Committees
terrorists from the Gaza Strip were instructing, and providing professional
and financial assistance to, members of the infrastructure in Bethlehem and
were, in effect, moving the center of their activities from the Gaza Strip
to the Bethlehem area following the IDF departure from Gaza.
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: SEVEN WANTED PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS
ARRESTED, AND ONE KILLED,
IN IDF NABLUS AREA OPERATION
SEVEN WANTED PALESTINIAN TERRORISTS ARRESTED, AND ONE KILLED, IN IDF NABLUS
AREA OPERATION
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson)
Monday, 20 February, 2006
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Attributed to "security sources"
Following an increase in security alerts regarding the intention of Tanzim
and Islamic Jihad terrorist infrastructures in Nablus to launch terrorist
attacks into Israel, IDF forces have - in recent days - been conducting a
wide-scale arrest operation in the Balata refugee camp and in the Old City
of Nablus.
Due to the increased terrorist activity in the city, Nablus has become one
of the primary producers of explosive belts and bombs, which are
systematically manufactured and transferred to different terrorist
infrastructures in Judea and Samaria, to be used against Israel.
During the night, IDF forces arrested seven wanted terrorists:
1. Ahmed Muhammad Zuhadi Araisha Marshoud, 22, a resident of the Balata
refugee camp. Araisha is the head of the Islamic Jihad terrorist
infrastructure in Nablus. He was directed by Islamic Jihad leaders in the
Gaza Strip and was involved in many attacks, including the 19.1.06 suicide
bombing at the old Tel Aviv Central Bus Station in which 30 Israeli
civilians were wounded, and the attempted 8.1.06 infiltration into the
Jewish community of Bracha in order to perpetrate a terrorist attack, which
was thwarted by IDF forces. Araisha was recently involved in additional
attempts to perpetrate terrorist attacks against Israel. Many of these
attacks were prevented due to the arrest of potential suicide bombers
recruited by him, who had intended to perpetrate attacks in the coming days.
2. Iyad Mahmad Mahmoud Massimi, 28, a resident of the Balata refugee camp
and a senior Tanzim terrorist. Massimi is one of the top experts on
explosives and bomb construction in Nablus, and was involved in preparing
the explosive belts used in several attacks against IDF forces and in
suicide bombings, including the 19.1.06 suicide bombing at the old Tel Aviv
Central Bus Station.
3. Wa'al Shakhr Mahmoud Massah, 38, a resident of the Balata refugee camp.
A senior Tanzim operative, Massah is also considered to be an explosives
expert and one of the senior bomb makers in Nablus. As part of his activity
in the organization, Massah was in regular contact with Hezbollah terrorists
in Lebanon.
4. Ahmed Husseini Ali Khalil, 20, a resident of the Balata refugee camp, a
member of the Tanzim terrorist organization. Over the past two years,
Khalil has been involved in numerous terrorist attacks in which explosive
devices were detonated against IDF forces in the Nablus area. He was
currently involved in an attempt to perpetrate a suicide bombing.
5. Ibrahim Husseini Darwish Abu Dra'a, 19, a resident of the Balata refugee
camp, a member of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. On 8.1.06, he
was dispatched by Araisha to infiltrate the Jewish community of Bracha in
order to perpetrate a terrorist attack; the attack was thwarted when IDF
forces prevented him from infiltrating into Bracha.
6-7. Qasem Awad Qasem Zaben, 20, and Mahmud Ali Mahed Mahamda, 30, residents
of the Old City of Nablus, members of the Tanzim terrorist organization.
The two are part of a Tanzim cell in the Old City involved in manufacturing
and using explosive devices against IDF forces in Nablus. The cell was
headed by wanted Tanzim terrorist Ahmed Mahmed Naif Abu Srah.
IDF forces operating in Nablus identified several armed terrorists and
opened fire at them, killing Ahmed Mahmed Naif Abu Srah, 30, a resident of
the Old City of Nablus, and a senior member of the Tanzim terrorist
organization. Abu Srah was involved in the 19.1.06 suicide bombing at the
old Tel Aviv Central Bus Station as well as dozens of additional attacks in
the Nablus area. Recently, he had been operating under the direction of the
Islamic Jihad terrorist organization HQ in Syria. Abu Srah was considered
an expert in complex explosive devices, of the kind that were used
frequently against IDF forces in the past year. He was also involved in
manufacturing explosive belts for the Tanzim and Islamic Jihad in Nablus.
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Foreign Ministry -- Behind the Headlines:
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' missed opportunity
Foreign Ministry -- Behind the Headlines:
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' missed opportunity
Monday, 20 February, 2006
Link: http://tinyurl.com/qtpjt
Addressing the newly elected Palestinian Legislative Council, he failed to
demand that the new Hamas-led government renounce terrorism and accept the
principle of a negotiated settlement.
On Saturday (18 February 2006) the newly elected Palestinian Legislative
Council (PLC) convened and its members were sworn in. At the session,
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas delivered a policy address,
outlining his expectations from the government which he asked the Hamas,
which constitutes the majority of the PLC, to form.
This crucial speech could have been utilized by Abbas as an opportunity to
clarify to the Hamas the obligations which the Palestinian Authority has
taken upon itself in the framework of the peace process. Mahmoud Abbas is a
veteran negotiator of the Middle East peace process, and as PA Chairman, he
has the power to approve or reject any suggested government. A clear
statement on his part would have given distinct boundaries to the Hamas and
its supporters. He could have stressed the need for the new government to
accept the agreements signed between Israel and the Palestinians, and to
carry out the commitments given by the PA to the international community as
part of the 'Roadmap to Middle East Peace'. He could have required it to
disarm terrorist groups dismantle their infrastructure, and reject violence
as a political tool. And he could have reaffirmed that he, as PA Chairman,
would not be party to a policy which pursued the establishment of
Palestinian state in place of Israel, rather than alongside Israel.
Unfortunately, Abbas' speech contained much rhetoric but very little
clarity. There was no unequivocal requirement that the new Hamas-led
government renounce terrorism and accept the principle of a negotiated
settlement. Neither was there a clear prerequisite that the new cabinet
accept signed agreements and obligations, and act to fulfill them. In fact,
Abbas didn't even condition his acceptance of the new government on a change
in the Hamas' charter calling for Israel's destruction.
The Chairman of the Palestinian Authority is the only person with the
constitutional capacity to provide a counter-balance to the PLC and the
Cabinet. Yet, if Abbas' acquiescent behavior at the PLC inaugural session is
any indication of the future, it should be no surprise that the Hamas
government will very soon convert the entire Palestinian Authority into an
apparatus meant to promote that organization's own extremist Jihadist
policies against Israel and the Western world.
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Pollard petitions Supremes to release secret docs
Pollard petitions Supremes to release secret docs
Sealed papers used in imposing life sentencing on imprisoned Israeli agent
By Aaron Klein FROM WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU
February 16, 2006
www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48850
Attorneys for imprisoned Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard have petitioned the
U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a ruling that denied them access to
classified information used to sentence the former U.S. Navy intelligence
officer to life in prison in spite of a government plea agreement that
promised to spare him a life term.
Pollard's lawyers Eliot Lauer and Jacques Semmelman say they require the
secret documents to properly petition President George W. Bush to grant
clemency to the Israeli agent by proving the repercussions of Pollard's
actions as alleged in the sealed papers never occurred.
"Approximately 40 pages of pre-sentencing docket materials were deemed
classified and, pursuant to a protective order, were placed under seal by
the court [when Pollard was sentenced in 1987.] Although the protective
order contemplated future access by Mr. Pollard's successor counsel, no
attorney or representative of Mr. Pollard has been allowed to see these
materials since then. ... By contrast, the Justice Department has repeatedly
allowed its own personnel access to these very documents in order to bolster
[its] opposition to executive clemency," stated the petition.
The Supreme Court is being asked to overrule a decision last summer by a
Washington D.C. appeals court stating it had no authority to review
Pollard's request to see the classified material.
Pollard, a Naval intelligence analyst, was convicted in 1985 of one count of
passing classified information to an ally, Israel, and sentenced to life
imprisonment in spite of a plea agreement that was to spare Pollard a life
sentence for his cooperation with a government probe.
Pollard's sentence is considered by many to be disproportionate to the crime
for which he was convicted - he is the only person in the history of the
United States to receive a life sentence for spying for an ally. The median
sentence for this particular offense is two to four years.
Pollard's sentence was largely thought to have been driven by a last-minute
secret memorandum from Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, in which he
accused Pollard of treason - a crime for which the Israeli agent was never
indicted - and claimed Pollard harmed America's national security.
Pollard's attorneys are now trying to obtain the classified portions of the
Weinberger memorandum.
Even Weinberger now contends Pollard's life sentence may be about something
else. The former defense chief said in a recent interview that the Pollard
issue "is a very minor matter, but made very important. ... It was made far
bigger than its actual importance."
Pollard previously told WND the information he passed to Israel forewarned
the Jewish state about the buildup of unconventional weapons of war in
neighboring Arab countries, including the buildup of arms by Saddam Hussein
for use against Israel.
The Israeli government denied for years Pollard was its spy but finally
acknowledged it in 1998 and now claims to be pressing for his release.
Pollard has been the subject of major solidarity rallies in Israel the past
few months, including a rally in Jerusalem marking the 20th anniversary of
his incarceration attended by nearly 20,000 people.
Lauer and Semmelman say Pollard's best chance for release remains
presidential clemency.
Pollard's wife, Esther, told WND, "Jonathan has always been singled out for
'special treatment' by the American justice system, much to his detriment.
We hope the Supreme Court will hear the case, and enable Jonathan's
security-cleared attorneys access to their client's own sentencing docket,
so that the truth about the Pollard case can finally be known and proven
beyond a doubt." -30-
===
Aaron Klein is WorldNetDaily's Jerusalem bureau chief, whose past interview
subjects have included Yasser Arafat, Ehud Barak, Mahmoud al-Zahar and
leaders of the Taliban.
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Excerpts: Palestinian-Egyptian friction.20 February 2006
Excerpts: Palestinian-Egyptian friction.20 February 2006
+++AL-AHRAM WEEKLY 16-22 Feb.'06:""Pay the price?"
HEADING:"An Egyptian diplomat in Gaza was kidnapped and then released. Magda
El-Ghitany explores the ramifications on
Egyptian-Palestinian relations .
SUBJECT:
QUOTES FROM TEXT:
""The kidnapping was not ' the first carried out against Egypt by a
Palestinian group' "
"would continue to 'exert every possible effort tht would ultimately lead
to the release of Palestinian prisoners in Cairo' "
" the kidnapping was 'meant to highlight Palestinian opposition to
towards what appears to be Egyptian efforts to implement US
policies' "
"kidnapping was 'indirectly powered by Israel' "
"the kidnapping will definitely 'undermine Egyptian sympathy with the
Palestinians' "
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------EXCERPTS:
The kidnapping and subsequent release of Egyptian military attach� Hossam
El-Musli by a previously unknown Palestinian militant group has further
complicated an increasingly difficult situation in Gaza.
El-Musli -- the first diplomat to be kidnapped in the Gaza Strip -- was on
his way to work when the incident occurred.
Al-Ahrar Brigades -- the militant group that carried out the crime -- said
it would only release El-Musli if Egypt freed all Palestinians being held in
Egyptian jails: "If Egypt does not heed this demand," the group's statement
said, "it will bear sole responsibility for the tragic consequences."
Although Cairo did not respond, El-Musli was released less than 48 hours
later. According to statements made by Ashraf Aql, who heads Egypt's
diplomatic delegation in Gaza, the military attach� "was treated well and
unharmed".
.... "Despite the happy ending, there are legitimate questions Egypt needs
answered," Presidential Spokesman Suleiman Awad told reporters ...turday.
Awad said the answers were especially crucial in light of the fact that the
kidnapping was not "the first such attack to be carried out against Egypt by
a Palestinian group, despite Egypt's continuing dedication to strongly
supporting its Palestinian brethren."
Several Palestinian groups were quick to condemn the kidnapping ... . Hamas,
for one, expressed its "extreme indignation at this crime". Islamic Jihad
also denounced the kidnapping, calling for "the end of lawlessness and the
kidnapping of Arab friends".
. . .
After freeing El-Musli, the militant group released another statement. While
denying any intentions to harm their "Egyptian brethren," the group
underlined their "determination to attain justice and freedom," and said
they would continue to "exert every possible effort that would ultimately
lead to the release of Palestinian prisoners in Cairo".
The incident, said Emad Gad, the editor of Al-Ahram 's Israeli Selections
magazine, was just "one episode amongst a chain of aggressive Palestinian
actions against Egypt," such as last month's attack on the Rafah crossing at
the Egyptian-Gaza border -- carried out by 30 members of the Al-Aqsa
Martyrs' Brigade -- which killed two Egyptian soldiers and injured 30. Gad
told Al-Ahram Weekly that these incidents were not only facilitated by the
growing turmoil in the Gaza Strip and the apparent weakness of Palestinian
security forces, but could also be attributed to "dissatisfaction regarding
the mediating role Egypt plays in solving the Palestinian question,
[including things] like Egypt's attempts to persuade Hamas to adopt a more
lenient position on issues like recognition of Israel, condemnation of
violence, and disarmament."
For Mohamed El-Sayed Said, deputy director of Al-Ahram's Centre for
Political and Strategic Studies, the kidnapping was "meant to highlight
Palestinian opposition towards what appears to be Egyptian efforts to
implement US policies vis-�-vis the Palestinian question".
. . .
According to former ambassador Fakhri Osman, the kidnapping was "indirectly
powered by Israel," which, he suggests, has infiltrated groups like
Al-Ahrar. Osman thinks there are Israeli elements that are angry at Egypt's
efforts to organise Palestinian affairs. "This Israeli anger is driving
Israel to indirectly work on souring Egyptian-Palestinian ties," Osman said,
which explains why the kidnapping took place only 24 hours after the
Palestinian factions convened in Cairo. In any case, "Egypt will continue to
pursue its commitment to lend support to the Palestinians, and to work
closely with the new Palestinian government," Osman said. Egypt's diplomatic
and security roles -- which include the training of Palestinian security
forces -- are now vital for maintaining stability in Gaza and solving the
Palestinian question.
At the same time, the kidnapping will definitely "undermine Egyptian public
sympathy with the Palestinians," Gad said.
Last July, Ihab El-Sherif -- who was the head of Egypt's diplomatic
delegation in Iraq -- was kidnapped and assassinated in Baghdad. With
El-Musli's kidnapping, questions are now being asked about whether
kidnapping Egyptian diplomats is becoming a tool used by various groups to
attempt to blackmail Egypt into modifying its regional policies.
Said said that although both cases "reflected dissatisfaction with Egypt's
policies in the region, which are viewed as tools to implement the West's
goals," the motives were different. . . .
Dr Joseph Lerner, Co-Director IMRA
------------------------------
From: imra@netvision.net.il
To: imra@imra.org.il
Subject: Interview: MK Steinitz:
time to use force to prevent formation
of Hamas government
Interview: MK Yuval Steinitz: time to use force to prevent the formation of
a Hamas government
Aaron Lerner Date: 20 February 2006
IMRA interviewed Likud MK Dr. Yuval Steinitz, chairman of the Knesset
Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, in Hebrew, on 19 February 2006:
Q: After the victory of Hamas in the recent PLC elections, acting PM Olmert
still intends to carry out major unilateral withdrawals from Judea and
Samaria. How do you feel about the idea?
A: I think that the policies of Olmert will endanger - if they are
implemented - the survival of the State of Israel.
A substantial unilateral withdrawal from Judea and Samaria would mean a
Hamas-Iran threat with Qassam rockets, anti-aircraft missile and brigades of
revolutionary guards formed in the territories .
A threat not on Sderot but on Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport, Jerusalem and
what is between them.
And that is no longer a matter of a threat of terror but instead an
existential threat on the very ability of the State of Israel to defend
itself and its existence in the Middle East.
Q: Even if the fences are completed?
A: Fences provide protection against lone terrorists or a terrorist cell.
They do not protect against a popular army, they do not protect against
artillery, thy do not protect against Qassam rockets and they do not provide
protection against anti-aircraft missiles that will be fired against planes
landing at the Ben Gurion Airport - attacks that would shut down air
transportation in Israel and cut off Israel from the world.
Q: What should Israel do about Hamas?
A: There are two alternatives.:
One is to unilaterally withdraw from for the area of the West Bank and
disengage And I, who happen to have supported the disengagement from Gaza,
before the rise of Hamas, and the taking of a risk in the South, tell you
that it would be a mistake that could bring a real existential threat to
Israel with the formation of a Hams army under Iranian influence with
Iranian advisors and Iranian weapons facing the greater Tele Aviv area and
Ben Gurion Airport.
This is Olmert's policy.
And there is our policy that is the opposite that says that we cannot even
allow them to form a government. We can put a siege on the cities of the
West Bank in order to prevent the members of Hamas from leaving their cities
in order to run the Palestinian Authority.
We can also prohibit the carrying of weapons by the Palestinian police in
the territories the moment that it turns - and it is already turning - into
a police force under Hamas; influence.
We can thus not allow even the formation of a Hamas government and the
formation of a Hamas regime in Judea and Samaria.
This is the only way to stop the creation of this huge threat to State of
Israel.
Q With regard to the situation between Gaza and Egypt - this is "spilled
milk"?
A: This is spilled milk. Our defense minister tells us that there is an
agreement covering the Rafah Passage. It turns out that there isn't an
agreement. There is a draft that isn't even a final version and the
Palestinians aren't even honoring this draft. They also never signed it and
also do not feel obligated to honor it. Terrorists, Hamas members and
apparently also members of world Jihad and weapons move freely through the
Passage.
This is spilled milk.
But we must not repeat the mistake we made in Gaza also in Judea and
Samaria.
It is bad enough that today we are suffering from the threat of Qassams in
Sderot and Ashkelon - we must not allow the same threat at Ben Gurion
Airport, Jerusalem, Petach Tikvah and the heart of the country.
With all the good intentions that Olmert - as any man - certainly has - his
lack of experience is very bad.
Olmert simply is weak against Hamas. Hamas is having a great time with
Olmert. Hamas couldn't have hoped for a "better" government to be ruling at
the time of its victory.
This is a government that is giving Hamas time. A chance to prove itself.
And in the meantime Hamas can establish its rule and I tell you what the
results will be:
Within hours or days of the formation of a Hamas government the Arab League
will recognize it. They will enter into official defense pacts with Iran
and maybe also Syria and maybe even with Egypt. And after that it will be
much harder to deal with the terror government that is under Iranian
influence.
This is not the time for foot dragging. It is not a time for zigzags.
It is time to use force to prevent the formation of a Hamas government and
the formation of a Palestinian-Hamas revolutionary guard under Iranian
influence in the territories.
Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il
------------------------------
From: imra-owner@imra.org.il
Subject: IMRA Subscription Info
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------------------------------
End of [imra] Daily digest - Volume: 2 Issue: 1333 (15 messages)
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